The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

E.B. White does such an amazing job in his books of bringing the animals to life!  Who hasn't cried for Wilbur when his BFF  passes away in Charlotte's Web, or cheered for the mini but mighty Stuart LIttle!  We read The Trumpet Of The Swan, and found ourselves thrilled with the adventures of Louis, a trumpeter swan who plays a trumpet since he has no voice, and travels the country in pursuit of money to pay off his debts.  Along the way, the responsible swan falls in love and learns that the happiest place for him is home.  White does an excellent job of detailing the beauty of nature, and of a young boy who respects the wonders around him, including the young swan he befriends. 

One of Louis' adventures takes him to Boston's Public Gardens, where he gets a job playing the trumpet while leading the Swan Boat around the lake.  I knew my kids would love a ride in a swan boat, even if we weren't serenaded by a trumpet playing swan.  We headed out to one of my favorite locations, Fair Park in Dallas!  We spent a fun day at the Museum of Nature and Science, and the Children's Aquarium.  The Swan Boat Rides are on the Leonhardt Lagoon, with the Texas Star Ferris Wheel as a backdrop.  My children and I long ago made up a story about the lagoon being the home of a rarely seen Lagoon Monster, whose size dwarfs the enormous carp and alligator snapping turtles which do inhabit the lagoon, and can be seen from the sculptures at either end of the lagoon.  As we paddled the boats, my 4 year old and I in one, my 12 and 10 year old in another, we laughed and joked about the monster stalking us, paddling quickly to escape him and probably causing a little fear in the waiting children!  The paddling is hard work, but we enjoyed it.  Afterwards, we ate our sack lunch under a shady tree near the lagoon and imagined what it would be like to have riden in a boat with Louis at the lead, playing "Beautiful Dreamer, Wake Unto Me". 

For more information on the Swan Boats at Fair Park;   http://www.fairpark.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=372
The Museum of Nature and Science http://www.natureandscience.org/
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park http://childrensaquariumfairpark.com/

Other places in Texas with Swan Boats include;
Captial Cruises on Lady Bird Lake http://www.capitalcruises.com/rentals/swan-pedal-boats/
Towne Lake in McKinney http://www.visitmckinney.com/adminnm/templates/nature.asp?articleid=14&zoneid=13